It was an F-104 that got sucked up into the B-70s wake turbulance and caused the demise of both aircraft.
If I remember right it was Grenamier (sp) that owned an F-104 and used it for air racing. The aircraft was lost off the California coast. I think the pilot ejected, but that part of the story I cannot recall. This was 10 to 15 years ago. I recall seing a couple of stories in aviation magazines about F-104s in private hands, but do not recall that they were being flown.
I have seen two F104s in Canadian museums, and the Air Force Museum has one mounted on a pylon as a "Gate Guard".
The there are a few really distinct F-104 paint jobs. The Canadian all red aircraft with the white arrow (Revell 1/32), the black and yellow "Tiger Meet" aircraft (Monogram 1/4/8), and the Greek Air Force black with a mural of Mt Olympus (I think that is what it is) currently available from Hasagawa in 1/48th scale. I just ordered the Hasagawa kit and cant wait to start it (This decade maybe).
The F-104 was designed to be a fighter/interceptor period. It was intended to intercept Russian Bombers. It was the first aircraft to be fitted with the 20MM Vulcan Cannon (Gattling Gun). It was to "Scramble", climb, intercept, and shoot down enemy aircraft. Notice that landing, refueling, rearming, etc. was not included in the mission. It was considered a one way mission.
I have an uncle who flew F-104s in the early days. He said it was a fighter pilots airplane, but very unforgiving. He said, "If you let the airplane get ahead of you it will kill you ". He was subsequently transferred to SAC and flew B-52s in "Fail Safe" missions for 8 years. After 22 years of flying a heart murmur was discovered and he was grounded. He did his last 8 years "pushing paper" "flying a desk".
He said the F-104 was by far the most exciting airplane he ever flew. The "Missle With a Man in it", is a good description of the airplane.
The F-104 suffered the fate of most of the aircraft concieved in the late 40s and early 50s. Technology has, and continues, to change rapidly. But you have to admit it had a fantastic 40+ year run. The U.S. got its moneys worth, and so did a half dozen or so NATO countries.
I think NASA is still operating a few F-104s, but I have not seen or read anything about NASA 104s in a few years.
The F-104 suffered the same indignity that most U.S. aircraft do. The aircraft are designed to meet a specific requirement, and if the aircraft does that well, sooner or later some idiot want to hang all kinds of garbage on the air plane to accomplish a mission it was never intended to perform. Go figure!
There is nothing more grotesque than an F-104 with bombs hanging under its wings.
Long live the Starfighter. rangerj